Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) with the Secondary concentration leads to teacher certification in the state of California, and requires intensive, supervised practice at school sites, as well as academic course work that focuses on cutting-edge, school-based research.
Complete and submit Stanford's graduate online application. Applicants for 2020-21, will start their program in summer which is in Stanford's 2019-20 academic year. Please indicate summer 2019-20 as your start term.
Current Stanford undergraduate students: The online application is now open! To begin your application please click here. Please note, requirements for coterms differ slightly from outside applicants so make sure to review the coterminal application requirements page found here. For additional questions or concerns contact valcazar@stanford.edu.
$125. Application fees are non-refundable and submitted with the online application. Visit gradfeewaiver.stanford.edu for information on fee waiver eligibility and process.
To complete your application to STEP, you are required to write a STEP-specific essay (STEP Essay) responding to the prompt below.
Applicants may choose to write a second essay (Statement of Purpose) answering the general prompt on the online application. However, the Statement of Purpose is optional and the STEP admission committee does not encourage applicants to submit this second essay.
One or both essays can be submitted electronically with your online application by uploading them into the personal statement section. If you chose to write two essays please combine them into one word document before uploading. Your statement should be typed, single spaced and not exceed three pages in length.
STEP Essay: In 750-1250 words, please describe your educational background, your experience working with youth, and your interest in teaching. Please specify your interest in teaching a particular subject matter area at the secondary level (STEP Secondary, single subject program) or your interest in teaching at the elementary level (STEP Elementary, multiple subject program). In addition, explain your views on the role of education in society and your reasons for wanting to enter the teaching profession. Indicate how your talents, skills, and experiences might contribute to the STEP community.
Resumes are required of all applicants. Please upload your resume in the online application.
Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation. In the online application, you will be asked to identify your recommenders and their email addresses. Please notify your recommenders that they will receive an email prompt to submit their recommendation online. Stanford GSE only accepts online recommendations through the application system; Stanford GSE cannot accept mailed, emailed or faxed recommendations.
Professors and people who have seen your work with youth are good choices for writing letters of recommendation. The letters should speak to your commitment to the profession, character, work ethic, and academic ability. It might also include why you would be a good fit for STEP.
When submitting your online application, you will be asked to upload your transcripts as a PDF document. We cannot accept mailed, emailed or faxed copies of your transcripts during the application process. Transcripts should be submitted for any institution at which you spent at least one-year doing academic study.
Upon admission, admitted students will be prompted to submit official transcripts by mail.
If the course work and grades are reflected on the transcript of your home institution, you do not need to submit original transcripts from the study abroad institution.
If your institution provides a transcript in a language other than English, we require that you submit a translation of the transcript that is either provided by the institution or a certified translator.
Stanford University requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from all applicants whose native language is not English. The Test of Written English (TWE) portion of the TOEFL is not required. Applicants who have completed a four-year bachelor's degree or a two-year master's program (or its equivalent) in the U.S. or at an institution where English is the main language of instruction are not required to take the TOEFL. For more information on TOEFL requirements, please see the "Review Requirements" section on the Graduate Admissions website.
The Graduate School of Education requires a minimum TOEFL score of 250 for the computer-based test, 600 for the paper-based test or 100 for the internet-based test in order to be considered for admission.
The test may be taken no earlier than 18 months prior to the application deadline. Be sure to take the test in time for your scores to be received at Stanford by the application deadline.
Stanford Institution code: 4704 (no department code is required). TOEFL website: http://www.toefl.org
Applicants to STEP must complete the STEP Supplemental Form. The supplemental form is included in the online application.
All STEP applicants who are interested in receiving fellowships should complete the fellowship application section found on the supplemental form in the online application.
Applicants residing in California must take the CBEST by the application deadline and receive passing scores prior to the start of the program in June. Out-of-state candidates admitted to STEP will need to pass the CBEST no later than the end of their first quarter in the program. Some out of state basic skills exams can be used in lieu of the CBEST. Email Viviana Alcazar at valcazar@stanford.edu to verify eligibility.
The Basic Skills Requirement can be satisfied with other options. Please go to this link for more information.
All STEP students must satisfy the basic skills requirement before they can assume daily teaching responsibility in their placements. If you have previously passed the exam, include a score report with your application.
Visit the CBEST website for test dates and registration information: http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/. Stanford reporting code: 327
The CSET is the primary way to verify your subject knowledge. Due to California credentialing requirements we do not accept subject matter competency tests from other states. We strongly urge applicants to take the CSET before applying to STEP. Applications will be reviewed if candidates have not taken the exams or have not received their results by the application deadline. To begin the program in June, however, applicants must pass a minimum of two CSET subtests in their intended teaching subject. Candidates must ultimately pass all subtests by January of their program year.
STEP Secondary Science Applicants - When registering for the CSET please choose the "Science" series (not "Foundational Science"). All Science applicants should take subtest I (test code 215) in addition to their subject specific area (ie Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science or Physics - test codes 217, 218, 219 or 220). Keep in mind only subtest I is required to start the program. All two subtests will be required by January of the program year.
STEP Secondary Candidates in English, Math, Science and Social Science – CSET subject tests are now offered as a computer based test year round, Monday through Saturday. Advanced registration is required. Advanced registration is required. English, Math, Science and Social Science candidates should plan on taking the CSET no later than March 31st, 2020.
STEP Secondary Candidates in French, Mandarin, and Spanish - CSET subject tests are currently only offered in California. French, Mandarin, and Spanish candidates should plan on taking the CSET no later than the March 14, 2020 scheduled test date.
Please visit http://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/tests.asp for information on California test date locations, registering for the exam and test preparation materials.
If you have previously passed any of the exams, include a score report with your application.
CSET Stanford reporting code: 582
Certain California institutions have been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) to offer subject matter programs (essentially, specialized majors) that meet state requirements for subject matter competence, in lieu of the approved exams. This program verifies you have completed the course work (undergraduate or graduate level) that the university feels is critical to a solid subject matter understanding. If you are completing/have completed one of these approved subject matter programs, contact the teacher education department at your institution for an evaluation of your course work.
On a separate sheet of paper, summarize all of your college course work following the format below. Include any courses in which you are currently enrolled or plan to take before enrolling in STEP. Please upload your transcript summary along with the transcripts in the online application.
This summary does not replace your official transcripts. Group courses under the following headings:
Example:
Social Science
| Year | Dept & Course No | Title | Institution | Units/Qtr | Units/Sem | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aut 01 | Poli Sci 183 | Criminal Justice | UCSD | 5 | A | |
| Wtr 02 | Psych 101 | General Psych | UCSD | 4 | A- | |
| Aut 02 | Soc 01 | Intro Sociology | Scripps | 4 | B | |
| Spr 04 | Econ 151 | Econ Analysis | Scripps | 4 | B+ |
Program Director: Professor Peter Williamson
MA Officer & Credential Analyst: Viviana Alcazar
© Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305.
